Peredonov here also repeated his usual complaints against the town gossip, such as he had made during the last few days, and against the envious people who wanted to hinder his obtaining an inspector's position. At the beginning Kirillov felt rather flattered by this attention. He exclaimed:
"Now you can see what goes on in provincial towns. I always said that the one deliverance for thinking people is to join hands—and I'm glad that you've come to the same conclusion."
Trepetov snorted angrily, as if affronted. Kirillov looked at him timorously. Trepetov said with contempt:
"Thinking people!" and then he snorted again.
After a short silence he began again in his thin, indignant voice:
"I don't know how thinking people can serve a musty classicism."
Kirillov said irresolutely:
"But, Georgiy Semenovitch, you never realise that a man does not always choose his own profession."
Trepetov snorted contemptuously, which finally settled the amiable Kirillov, and became immersed in a deep silence.
Kirillov turned to Peredonov when he heard that he was talking of an inspector's position. Kirillov looked worried. He imagined that Peredonov wanted to be an inspector in our district.